Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains images and voices of people who have died. The story of Aboriginal Sydney could not be told without recognising their achievements.
In some Aboriginal communities, seeing the names and photographs of dead people may cause sadness and distress, particularly to relatives of those people. Do you wish to proceed?

Serving country oral history project

In late 2013, the City of Sydney’s History Team has engaged Aboriginal researcher Fabri Blacklock to carry out oral history interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women and their families.

These interviews will support the development of an artwork in Hyde Park by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert that honours the sacrifices and bravery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service people who have served their country.

Fabri has collected eight oral history interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women and their families, including artist Tony Albert and Pastor Ray Minniecon. These interviews, along with excerpts and transcripts, were published on the City’s new oral history website in July 2014. You can listen to the interviews here.

Fabri’s interviews join the two interviews already published on the website with Harry Allie and Col Watego.The City’s new oral history website at sydneyoralhistories.com.au features a growing collection of more than 60 audio recordings and transcripts capturing aspects of Sydney life not normally found in historical records, including interviews with shopkeepers, residents and everyday people.

The oral histories on the website are mostly presented as the full interview in both audio and transcript forms, accompanied by an edited excerpt from the full interview.